No, I don’t mean gold metal braces for your teeth! This is the title from the National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Adults and children must realize how important it is for us to take care of our teeth. New research is showing how the mouth is a gateway to a person’s over-all health! An unhealthy mouth can be linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Children very often can suffer from unhealthy mouths and teeth, so we adults have to educate ourselves and help them keep their mouths healthy. As a Mom, I have a few tips here that may help with your little ones.
*Positive rewards for small steps…like brushing or flossing, on their own.
*We’d make “Picture Reminders” of a toothbrush or goofy smile hanging on the bathroom mirror, to remind us to brush in the morning or at bedtime.
*I found “floss sticks” easier to use, and more fun for the kids. So now we keep them either by the sofa so while watching TV we can floss, or in the car, or on the kitchen table, for after meal flossing. We’ve made it a “normal, daily activity” this way.
*I’ve learned that I can schedule our dentist appointments all at the same time. Then we adults set a good example, and are there for support in case someone gets cold feet! And it’s easy to keep a record of who has been to the dentist or not.
These are just a few simple tips. Hope they help inspire your family to share that Gold Medal Smile!
